Verizon Wireless Technology Helps Domestic Violence Survivors On Staten Island, New York

Company Donates Wireless Phones & Service to Richmond County District Attorney’s Office.

ORANGEBURG, NY — Continuing its commitment to domestic violence prevention and awareness, Verizon Wireless recently donated 25 wireless phones with prepaid service to the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office for use by local domestic violence survivors.

This donation was made possible through the company’s HopeLine® phone recycling program, which collects old, no-longer-used cell phones at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout Metro New York and New Jersey. The phones are refurbished, recycled, or sold and the proceeds are donated to domestic violence advocacy groups in the form of cash grants and prepaid wireless phones for survivors. Phones that cannot be refurbished are disposed of in an environmentally-sound manner.

Serving the needs of area residents, the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office is dedicated to preserving public safety and is actively working on creating and implementing domestic violence prevention strategies. The Office is responsible for investigating and prosecuting all crimes related to domestic violence including child and spousal abuse, stalking and sexual assault.

“The HopeLine recycling program provides a quick and easy way for each of us to make a difference in the lives of women and children scarred by domestic violence,” said Pat Devlin, president of Verizon Wireless’ New York Metro Region. “Something as simple as a wireless phone can help enable and empower these women to take positive steps to transform their lives.”

Other New York City agencies that recently received HopeLine phone donations include Barrier Free Living and Sanctuary for Families, serving residents of Staten Island and throughout the City.

Verizon Wireless was the first wireless carrier in the nation to collect and recycle old cell phones and has done so since January 1999, first in New York and then across the U.S. Nationally, the HopeLine program has collected nearly 5.6 million wireless phones, and given more than $6.3 million in cash grants and nearly 80,000 phones with nearly 230 million minutes of airtime to domestic violence prevention organizations.

HopeLine wireless phone donations also are accepted at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores in New York City and across the nation. For store locations and additional information, visit www.verizonwireless.com/hopeline.